Huge turnout for popular 'Skate with the Griffins' event

'Skate with the Griffins' contest winner Wesley O’Greysik earned the right to skate out on the ice with the team before Saturday's Canada West contest as he lined up next to goalie Ashton Abel, left, and captain Kole Gable for the national anthem (Rebecca Chelmick photo).
'Skate with the Griffins' contest winner Wesley O’Greysik earned the right to skate out on the ice with the team before Saturday's Canada West contest as he lined up next to goalie Ashton Abel, left, and captain Kole Gable for the national anthem (Rebecca Chelmick photo).

MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – They came to skate, and they came out in droves.

The MacEwan University Alumni department welcomed 125 guests with 55 kids to its 'Skate with the Griffins' at the Downtown Community Arena on Saturday afternoon.

It's the biggest turnout since the event's inception.

"We welcomed the amazing opportunity to partner with MacEwan Alumni, as we collaborated on an event to showcase our Griffin Hockey teams," said MacEwan Associate Athletic Director Lindsay McAlpine. "We hope to make this an annual event, as well as open the doors to the rest of Griffin Athletics."

Following the skate with members of the Griffins hockey teams and The Griff mascot, guests were given a pizza party and free tickets Saturday night's Canada West men's hockey game between MacEwan and UBC.

"This event represents a great partnership between MacEwan Alumni and our Griffins Athletics," said MacEwan Alumni Director Michelle Stevenson. "It's great to see our alumni come back and take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to skate with our Griffins hockey players."

After a competition during the 'Skate with the Griffins' event, Wesley O'Greysik won and was selected as honourary Griffin for the evening as he skated out with the team and stood with the starting lineup for the national anthem.

"It's a great family event and we hope that activities like these will encourage fan support from our alumni community for our Griffins teams all season long," said Stevenson. "A special thank you to Lindsay McAlpine and our Griffins hockey teams for all your support."

Enjoy a few photos taken by Rebecca Chelmick ...